News and features

Tue, 10 Mar 2009

Apprenticeships vital to the economy, says college principal

City College Norwich principal explains the benefits of apprenticeships for employees and businesses.

The principal of City College Norwich has highlighted the important role of apprenticeship schemes in the British economy.

Speaking to the Norwich Evening News, Dick Palmer said that apprenticeships provide multiple benefits for both trainees and employers.

By providing an alternative route into employment, an apprenticeship scheme can help less academically gifted students fulfil their potential while equipping businesses with highly-skilled employees.

Mr Palmer told the newspaper that apprenticeships are "critical to the nation's economy" and claimed that there has "never been a better time" for employers to start offering on-the-job training schemes.

"[Apprenticeships] provide a cost-effective way of ensuring that we have the levels of contemporary skills required for today's global markets, within our current workforce," the principal explained.

"They are a different route into work for the individual themselves and an innovative way for employers to ensure that their new recruits come to them with the required skills sets," he added.

Mr Palmer revealed that over 600 apprentices are now enrolled on courses at City College Norwich, representing an increase of about 15 per cent in the last two years.

Urging other employers to "think out of the box" regarding apprenticeships, he said that the college is also looking to offer on-the-job training schemes as an employer in the near future.

Last week, a series of activities took place around the UK to mark Apprenticeship Week, organised by the Learning and Skills Council.

A new advertising campaign starring Sir Alan Sugar has been developed to raise awareness of modern apprenticeship schemes.

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